Tuesday, 30 March 2010

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Friday, 19 March 2010

For a while, this book has been catching my eye and my interest while lying there on the shelf of the local bookstore. Almost as if calling out to me, whispering "buy me, read me, want me". Perhaps it was the Force.

Yes, I read the new Darth Bane book -- last part of the trilogy, if the author is to be believed. It's called Dynasty of Evil, and that is indeed what the story is about.

First off, allow me to state that I like the cover art way better than the computer-generated cover from the last book. Someone has been paying attention, in the right kind of way.

Probably all who read this book, have read the other two. It is not absolutely necessary, but it makes more sense that way. A lot of (sub)plots originated in the first book and I must say, I am impressed with the way the story is both complicated and logical after the events that happened before. Without telling too much, the healer Caleb from the first two books had a daughter, and once she discovers Bane to still be alive, she wants revenge for her father's death.

Fortunately, Karpyshyn knows better than to introduce far too many characters, only to keep them alive because he can't bear to see them go. People die in this book, and quite a lot of them. It's a book about the Sith, after all, and not only do they not care for other people's lives, they're also trying to kill each other.

Basically, Bane thinks his apprentice Zannah isn't suitable to be his successor and seeks to find a way to replace her. Zannah on the other hand, is about to stake her claim and challenge her master. This simple concept becomes much more when others try to take advantage of the situation -- among them, Caleb's daughter.

I'm impressed by the way Karpyshyn has grown as a writer. His stories have been pretty good throughout, but he really outdid himself on this one. The only downside is that he doesn't seem to have the same flair with words and languages that other writers possess. This makes for an exciting read, but not enough so to re-read it countless times.

All things consider, I definitely recommend reading this book -- once. See if your local library has a copy.